Book a musical evening with Ustad Aashish Khan

Indian music lovers will be looking forward to booking their next weekend when Auckland-based ‘Sargam School of Music’ presents its annual programme devoted to the beauty and intricacies of North Indian Classical music (known as Hindustani), this time in collaboration with ‘Sarod’ maestro from India, Ustad Aashish Khan.

The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 29 at Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, 524 Blockhouse Bay Road in Blockhouse Bay from 6 pm to 9 pm. Tickets are priced at $20 each.

‘Sargam School of Music’ Director and Principal Basant Madhur, and his students are busy preparing to showcase their best talents amidst their hard work for the second half of this year.

Besides the main Sarod recital by Ustad Aashish, performances will include expositions of Tabla, Hindustani Vocal, Sitar and Violin recitals.

“We are committed to presenting quality Indian classical music programmes for our audiences. Through such programmes, our students will not only develop confidence on stage but will also benefit learning from visiting artistes of international repute,” Basant told Indian Newslink.

Ustad Aashish Khan

Disciple and son of India’s legendary Sarod player, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and grandson of well-known Alauddin Khan, (the founder of Senia Maihar Gharana or style of Indian Classical Music), Aashish was initiated into the Sarod family tradition at the age of five.

After presenting his debut performance at the age of 13 under the guidance of his grandfather on the ‘National Programme’ of All India Radio, Aashish has since then performed at major venues of classical music and fusion music in India and abroad.

He has also founded an Indo-American musical group named ‘Shanti’ with Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain in 1969, where he is often seen playing the acoustic Sarod through a fender guitar amplifier.

Aashish has also worked on a number of projects for both films and on stage, including Oscar winner Satyajit Ray’s ‘Apur Sansar,’ ‘Parash Pathar,’ ‘Jalsaghar’ and Richard Attenborough’s film ‘Gandhi.’

He has collaborated with various western musicians such as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Barham and Charles Lloyd.

Aashish’s musical achievements in his résumé state him being a forerunner of many honours for India. He was awarded the Fellowship of the Illinois Arts Council in 2002 and in 2005, India’s highest award for performing arts, the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

In 2006, he was nominated for a Grammy Award in the ‘Best World Music’ category and in 2007, was the first Indian Classical musician to become a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, UK’s highest society in Asian arts and culture.

The forthcoming programme with ‘Ustad Aashish Khan’ will feature opening performances by the students of Sargam School of Indian Music with support by Deepak Madhur on Harmonium and Professor Shukdev Madhur on Violin.